8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Pacers potential playoff opponents preview: Miami Heat

By Ben Renz

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat embrace after the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat embrace after the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Lance Stephenson Pacers Heat
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 10: Lance Stephenson /

Pacers Bench v Heat Bench

Things get scary when the reserves enter the game. You may have heard Dwyane Wade is back home in Miami, and while he’s far past his prime, he’s still “Father Prime” and the Heat are still a better team with him on the court. Then there’s Wayne Ellington, liable to go off from deep at any moment. Kelly Olynyk, who’s definitely the kind of person who comes to mind when one thinks of South Beach, already has a few impressive playoff performances under his hair-clip-ridden-belt. Rookie Bam Adebayo and 21-year-old wing Justise Winslow will see some burn and are capable of contributing.

The Pacers will continue to hope the defensive shortcomings of Domantas Sabonis can be forgiven by his scoring and rebounding. Lance Stephenson came to national prominence against the Heat, so, hopefully, he can channel some of that Good Lance magic and the Pacers will get a few game-changing plays from him. Either way, his ability to hype the Fieldhouse crowd is invaluable. Cory Joseph has been solid, but the Pacers are still better offensively without him on the court. Trevor Booker’s status after last week’s ankle injury is still uncertain, but if he’s a no-go, Big Al and Medium Leaf are gonna have to step up. GRIII’s impact in his few games back has been fine, but it’d be nice to get more than “fine”. Hopefully, his Wolverines making it far in the NCAA tournament will inspire him to bust out some heroics for another blue and maize-ish team.

Advantage: Heat

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